Second-year guard Earl Watford ‘ready’ to be a starter for the Arizona Cardinals

By Dave Dulberg | May 29, 2014 at 11:25 pmUPDATED: May 30, 2014 at 2:25 pm

TEMPE, Ariz. — Earl Watford patiently took in his rookie season from the sidelines.

He sat diligently through film sessions. He sought out guidance from veteran linemen and coaches. And most of all, he never complained about his role, or lack thereof.

Unlike the other highly-touted guard drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2013 NFL Draft, No. 7 overall pick Jonathan Cooper, Watford’s absence from meaningful competition wasn’t due to a season-ending injury.

In the fourth-round selection’s case, he simply wasn’t ready for the responsibility.

“For me, it was a process on the field,” said Watford, who started 36 of the 47 games he played at James Madison. “Not that I didn’t know it, but it just kind of takes time and experience [to play]. You have to get repetitions and learn from all the guys around you.

“It sucked not playing last year, but at the same time I got to see and I got to learn more. I take it as a plus for myself.”

What he saw was a right guard in Paul Fanaika, who day in and day out fought to hold down his starting spot for all 16 games.

While the former Arizona State standout was by no means a proven vet before the 2013 campaign, Watford admitted that he gravitated toward Fanaika for off-field mentoring.

“He’s definitely given me advice,” said Watford. “He’s been helpful all the way through, whether he sees something I’m doing or I see something he’s doing, that’s just the relationship we have.”

It’s a relationship that may be taking on a bit of twist this offseason.